Separator tank



Jan. 22, 1946. D, A; MILLER 2,393,498

SEPARATOR TANK Filed Aug. 7, 1943 vwa/wbo'a DEWEY A. MILLER H; TL

Patented Jan. 22, `1946 Y UNITED STATES PATENT; GFFICE l Y2,393,498 y v sEPARA'roR Dewey A. Miller, Akron, Ohiofassienw to The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August '1, 1943, sensi No. 497,865

(ci. 21o-60) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to separator tanks, especially to tanks of the type adapted to separate lighter substances from a containing liquid; for example, such as can be used in separating newly coagulated' synthetic rubber particles from their containing medium, where such particles have a specific gravity less than that of said medium.

ln the manufacture of synthetic rubber, the nal operation is to coagulate the rubber latex from its aqueousmedium or liquor. Most of the rubber latex is coagulated quite rapidly and can readily beremoved from its coagulant. However, the remaining eiiluent liquor contains crumbs or iines and an appreciable quantity of rubber latex that is not yet coagulated, which condition is especially true when using an alum base coagulant upon a synthetic rubber latex emulsion in a helical flight coagulator.

The rubber latex remaining in solution, after the major portion of rubber has been coagulated and removed from the solution, is of commercial value, if not contaminated by dirt, sewage or other deteriorating or undesirable materials so that its recovery, if not too costly, is expedient. Furthermore, the rubber latex should be removed from its aqueous medium or it will coagulate in and collect in the sewer system used therefor. Screens are unsatisfactory for use in removing the rubber latex since they do not hold the liquor for a sufiicient period to complete the coagulation process while, also, they become clogged too easily. Permanent sumps, built in the base of the coagulation apparatus, have also been tried to allow the coagulation process to iproceed to substantial completion before discarding the rubber liquor. One objection to such a device is that it is Very diicult to keep clean and rubber therein is often contaminated with dirt or oil. Another is that the size of sump necessary for the purpose may be objectionable.

'I'he general object of this invention is to provide an eiiicient easily-operated separator for use in coagulating dispersed vestigial rubber latex, and for removing fine rubber particles from a carrying liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel, low-cost separator for residual rubber lines and rubber latex in synthetic rubber manufacture.

The foregoing and other objects will be made apparent by the following description of the invention when considered in light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l'is ay plan of a separator embodying the invention; and

Figure 2 is an elevation of the separator of Figure 1, a part thereof being broken away.

Referring specifically to the drawing, a separator I0 is shown, which includes a liquid-tight, sheet' metal tank II having a cover I2, that usually is secured thereto. The tankV II may be made from sheet steel and is reinforced and supported by angular posts I3 secured to the lower corners thereof. One section I 2E of the cover.

I2 is hinged to the remainder of the cover to enable'a portion of the cover to be opened to facilitate removal of material from the tank, or the pouring of liquids into the separator I0 through a pipe I4 associated therewith. A hole I2b is formed in the cover section I2a so that liquid can flow into the tank II without opening the cover section |211. A second pipe I5 is secured to the tank II at the end thereof removed from the hinged cover portion I2a for exhausting liquids from the tank. Note that the pipe I5 extends downwardly inside the tank and that its open end I 5a is appreciably below the liquid level of the tank I I.

A suitable number of baille plates IB, I'I, and I8 are in position in the tank II and extend completely across same to control and regulate flow of liquid through the tank. Figure 2 clearly shows that the baille plate I6 is secured to the cover I2 immediately adjacent the pipe I5 and that the baffle extends downwardly of the tank appreciably further than the pipe so that only the heavier portions of liquids in the tank can flow into the lpipe I5. The baffle plate II is adjacent the baille plate I6 and extends up in the tank I I to a point near the top thereof, while the baille plate I8 is secured to the cover I2 and extends to a point adjacent the bottom of the tank. Both the baille plates I'I and I8 have portions I'Ia and I8a, respectively, that are inclined from the base of the tank II towards the pipe I5 to form a relatively large surface area in the receiving end of the tank and a relatively small surface area in the portion of the tank adjacent the discharge end.

It will be seen that a liquid, such as effluent rubber liquor, can be poured into the separator I0 when the cover area I2a is opened and then only the heavier portion of the liquor flows under the baille plate I8, over the baille plate II, under the baille plate I6, and out of the tank through the pipe I5. Of course, the volume ow of liquid through the tank must be of such a rate that substantially all lof the residual rubber emulsion in the liquor is coagulated while in the tank. Also, the rate of flow should not be such as to prevent the lighter rubber particles, or fines, from rising to the surface.

Synthetic rubber of the Buna types have a specific gravity lighter than water and will therefore normally rise to the surface. Rubber collecting on the surface of the liquid in the tank I normally will all be in the compartment under the cover section I2a and can be skimmed therefrom periodically. In some instances it may be desirable to expose the portion of the tank II adjacent the pipe I5 so that the portion of the cover l2 thereabove may also be made removable. It also is possible to arrange for mechanical means for removing the rubber particles collecting on the surface of the liquid in the tank, when desired.

The separator l0, it will be seen, can be used to recover rubber crumbs or lines from the residual liquor from pelletizers and disintegrators as well as from coagulators.

When there is not appreciable dirt, oil or other foreign material around the separator, it sometimes may be desired to leave the top of the separator open. In such case, some of the bailies would have to extend up the sides of the separator above the normal liquid level while the alternate baiiles would be secured to the sides and bottom of the separator tank, as usual.

While one embodiment of the invention has been fully explained and described herein, it will be apparent that modication thereof can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A separator for ne rubber particles carried in a liquid, which separator comprises a tank having a bottom and a vertical wall connected thereto, said tank adapted to receive liquids at one region thereof, an exhaust pipe extending through the vertical Wall at a region which is spaced from the liquid receiving region of the tank, and a plurality of baille plates secured to and extending across the tank between the liquid receiving portion thereof and the exhaust pipe, a single plate of the baille plates being secured to the bottom of the tank and extending in a generally vertical direction therefrom to an elevation slightly above the lower inside surface of the exhaust pipe at the region of its extension through the tank wall, a baille plate being spaced on either side of said single plate and extending downwardly from a horizontal plane in the upper region of the tank and above the top of said single plate and terminating in a region spaced above the bottom of the tank, the plate which is adjacent to the liquid receiving region of the tank being inclined in its upper part in a directon away from said liquid receiving region thereby forming a large rubber collecting area in the initial compartment of the tank.

2. A separator as in claim 1, wherein the single plate attached to the bottom of the tank has its upper part inclined toward the wall of the tank through which the exhaust pipe passes.

DEWEY A. MILLER. 

